Adams County Marriage License Records

Marriage license applications in Adams County are handled by County Clerk Ryan Niekamp at the courthouse in Quincy. Both people who plan to marry must go to the office in person with valid photo ID. Adams County sits in western Illinois along the Mississippi River, and the Quincy office serves all residents in the county for marriage license needs. This page covers the full process for getting a marriage license in Adams County, from what to bring and how much it costs to how long the license lasts and where to get copies later on.

Getting a Marriage License in Adams County

Head to the Adams County Clerk's office in Quincy. The phone number is (217) 277-2150. Clerk Ryan Niekamp and his staff handle all marriage license applications. Both you and your partner must be there at the same time. One person cannot fill out the form alone. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID. A driver's license, state ID card, U.S. passport, or military ID all work. The IDPH valid ID page has the full list of what the state accepts.

You need your social security number, date of birth, place of birth, and current address. The clerk will ask for both parents' full legal names. Under 750 ILCS 5/203, the Adams County Clerk issues the license once both people sign the form and the fee is paid. No blood test is needed. There is no residency rule, so couples from Missouri, Iowa, or anywhere else can come to the Quincy office and apply for an Adams County marriage license without proving they live in Illinois.

Note: Call (217) 277-2150 to confirm office hours before your visit, especially around holidays.

Prior Marriage Rules in Adams County

If you or your partner were married before, the Adams County Clerk needs details. Tell the clerk when and where that marriage ended. You need the date, county, and state of the final divorce decree or death. If the prior marriage ended within the past six months, bring a certified copy of the divorce decree or death certificate. The Quincy office will not issue a new marriage license without that document if the timeline falls within the six-month window.

Under 750 ILCS 5/212, certain marriages are not allowed in Illinois. You cannot marry if you are still in an active marriage or civil union. Close blood relatives cannot marry each other. First cousins can marry only if both are over 50 years old, or if one party presents a certificate of permanent sterility from a licensed physician. The Adams County Clerk checks for these issues during the application process, and it is best to have all your paperwork ready when you walk into the Quincy office so there are no delays or extra trips needed to complete the process.

Adams County Marriage License Timing

Under 750 ILCS 5/207, the marriage license takes effect the calendar day after the clerk issues it. Same-day use is not allowed. Plan your visit to the Quincy office at least two days before your ceremony date in Adams County.

The license stays valid for 60 days. Once those days pass, it expires and you have to apply and pay all over again. The license only works inside Adams County. A license from Quincy cannot be used at a venue in Hancock County, McDonough County, or anywhere outside Adams County lines. Make sure you know which county your wedding spot is in. Western Illinois has lots of rural venues that sit near county borders, and a quick check with your venue about which county they fall in can save you from having to get a second license from the right place.

Adams County Marriage License Filing

After the wedding, the officiant must complete the marriage certificate and return it to the Adams County Clerk within 10 days. Under 750 ILCS 5/209, this return deadline applies to every marriage in Illinois. The Quincy clerk records the marriage once the form comes back. Judges, retired judges, mayors, religious leaders, and village presidents can all perform the ceremony in Adams County. No witnesses are needed under state law.

The Illinois Association of County Clerks and Recorders directory lists Adams County and all other clerk offices in the state. You can use it to find contact info and confirm the address of the Quincy office. The screenshot below shows the IACCR directory where you can look up any Illinois county clerk.

Certified copies of your Adams County marriage license come from the Quincy office. The state does not hand out certified copies. The IDPH marriage records page can verify marriages from 1962 on for a $5 fee, but for the full document, go to Adams County Clerk Ryan Niekamp's office.

Marriage Record Verification for Adams County

The IDPH Division of Vital Records can verify that a marriage took place in Adams County. A verification confirms names, dates of birth, date of the event, and the county. It costs $5. Mail a completed Application for Verification of Marriage Record to IDPH at 925 E. Ridgely Ave., Springfield, IL 62702-2737. Include a check or money order payable to the Illinois Department of Public Health and a readable photo ID.

Under the Vital Records Act (410 ILCS 535), marriage records in Illinois are not public information. Access to certified copies is limited to certain people by law. The Adams County Clerk follows these rules and will check your identity before releasing records.

Nearby Counties

If your ceremony will be in a neighboring county, you need a marriage license from that county. Here are the counties closest to Adams County.